To improve service delivery and prevent unnecessary injuries and property damage, the City of Ekurhuleni would like to discourage citizens from giving Christmas gifts to waste management service employees over the holiday season.
In the past, sympathetic residents would offer the workers presents like cash or alcohol, which made it difficult for the city to provide efficient waste collection services.
According to the City of Ekurhuleni’s spokesperson, Zweli Dlamini, the situation can even get worse if an employee decides to drink while on duty and ends up injured or causing damage to someone’s property while discharging their duties.
Even though the staff members are aware that drinking while working is prohibited, tempting circumstance needs to be discouraged and avoided right away.
“We would also like to make residents aware that the City’s employees are forbidden from soliciting Christmas gifts from members of the public, as this goes against council policy, making the practice illegal.
“Should employees request gifts from residents, residents should record the names of the employees, vehicle registration number and if possible, pictures of the employees and vehicle, so that the matter can be easily dealt with,” said Zweli.
The city also took this chance to urge both ratepayers and residents who are contacted or harassed for gifts or donations by municipal workers to report such events to the metro for further investigation and potential consequence management.
Direct reporting of these instances should be made to the city’s service delivery contact centre on 086 054 3000.
The city also stated that during public holidays, their waste removal services will be provided in accordance with the waste collection schedule on December 16, 26 and 27.
During the holiday season, all municipal public offloading facilities (mini-sites) and landfills will be accessible.
